Character Counts: A Schoolwide Plan to Promote the Qualities of Democratic Citizens

Active citizenship is the bedrock of any great democracy. Continue the trend by teaching the next generation about voting rights and the functions of elections in society. The variety of activities in the resource includes a human...

Have new or soon-to-be voters examine different political parties and their platforms as they figure out which one aligns most with their beliefs. After taking a few online quizzes, students split into pairs to discuss and then in larger...

Scholars answer the question, What makes a good citizen?, with the help of a variety of stories that highlight different forms of active citizenship. After multiple engaging read-alouds, individuals discuss character traits observed, and...

Through class discussion and role playing scenarios, scholars share their perspectives regarding what character traits make up an ideal citizen, as well as what constitutes a negative citizen. 

What's better than talking about water quality issues in your hometown? Doing something about it! Scholars come up with a community action plan to take care of a local environmental issue having to do with the water supply. They...

Here is a set of wonderful activities that will offer young learners the chance to see how some prominent figures have taken action to ensure greater equality and fairness around the world. Given the context of the 2014 World Cup, the...

Caring, trustworthiness, and responsibility—these are only a few character traits in focus of a instructional activity based on stories from the Civil War era. Class members explore several influential lives while reading biographies...

Angelique Kidjo and Kerry Kennedy are the focal points of a lesson plan designed to shed light on inspirational women during Women's History Month. Scholars discuss and examine the lives of two women then showcase a woman in their lives...

As Amy lament's Jo's decision to rid herself of her singular beauty, Marmee puts a hand to her mouth, awed by her daughter's generosity. Watch the pivotal scene from a Masterpiece production of Little Women, and lead a language arts...

Examine the conditions that brought forth Japanese internment camps. Young historians read Farewell to Manzanar and debate whether Japanese internment was inhuman or a necessary element of war. They then write Haikus describing the camp...